Rack for beams



,March 24, 1953 M. A. RICHTMYER 2,632,567

RACK FOR BEAMS Filed April 9, 1948 5 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Mame Amgy r /g qgg 7: n PM;

March 24', 1953 M. A. RICHTMYER 2,632,567

RACK FOR BEAMS Filed April 9, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 24, 1953 M. A. RICHTMYER 2, 6

RAck FOR BEAMS Filed April 9, 194a 5 Sheetg-Sheet s MORSE AR/CHTM ER INVENTOR lam-4 1- ATTORN E March 24, 1953 r M. A. RICHTMYER 2,632,567

RACK FOR BEAMS Filed April 9, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 TRAILER ATTORNE March 24, 1 953 M. A. RICHTMYER RACK FOR BEAMS Filed April 9, 1948 wm m vs/w MoRsEALRIcI-ITMYER INVENTOR BYaa ATI'ORN J Patented Mar. 24, 1953 RACK FOR BEAMS Morse A. Richtmyer, Blountville, Tenn., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y.,

acorporation of New Jersey Application April 9, 1948, Serial No. 20,078

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for handling large spools containing yarn or, similar filamentaryor web material. More particularly this invention concerns apparatus and method for loading and transporting as well as storing large spools of yarn made fromcellulose esters, especially such type of yarn put upon section beams or similar beams. V I

As is known in the industry, considerable yarn is put up on large spools or similar units of varying sizes and weights. Some of these beams of yarn may weigh only a few hundred pounds and be from 13" to 21" in diameter, whereas other or the beams or spools of yarn may be considerably larger in diameter, weighing, for example, a ton or more per beam.

The beams aforementioned upon which the yarn is wound, while a commercially available item, may vary in .size of flange, shaft, and other component parts. This slight variation in size may be due to the fact that in some instances the empty section beams are constructed of wood carrying a steel shaft or some of the beams may be largely of metal construction from aluminum or'magnesium alloys with a hollow end or similar recess.

- It is apparent and as has been experienced in industry the handling of these heavy spools, aforementioned, presents a considerable problem not-only because of the weight and tendency ofthe'spools to roll during transportation, but also because it is highly important that the yarn or other filamentary material contained thereon not be damaged by the pressure of one beam upon another beam or otherwise.

-O ne common type of handling of the afore mentioned spools involves their transportation from the place of manufacture of the yarn to the textile millwherein the yarn on the section beam flanges, thereby preventing lateral movement of the beams. The track holding the first row, of beamsisheld fast to the floor of the truck trailer. or railroad car. By means of another. similar track positioned above the first row and secured to the truck a second row of beams maybe accommodated Rolling of the beams during'transport is prevented by various ,n'lethods and means uch as clampschains, and

9 Claims. (01. 211 -13) w the like which, of course, add further weight to manent aflixation of such a large frame structhe truck load. In other words, the carrier has been equipped witha single large, strong longitudinally extending frame and the individual beams are stacked in this large frame.

Suchprior constructions usually weigh between 1 to 3 tons and unless completely utilizedin each truckload, since they are substantially permanently afiixed to the truck, add excessive tare weight to a shipment. The substantially per ture renders the truck-trailer, of limitedu'sefor other purposes. While such permanent. con struction permits of some flexibility in loading difierent size beams, this flexibility israthe'r.

limited. Also in the instance of shipping a partial load, as already mentioned, since the frame is more or less fixed, a large nonutilizable weight is being transported. Another disadvantage with respect to devices attached to the truck or other carrier is that even though the beams are adequately protected and handled during transportation in their delivery to the mill, unless the truck-trailer is left, the beams must be transferred to further protection or other steps taken for their protection. Similar remarks apply to the beams prior to their shipment.

After considerable study and experimentation I have found that a much improved apparatus and method may be employed for loading,'transporting, or'otherwise handling the spools of the type described. I have found thatin general it is better to employ a plurality ofsmall individual racks and to stack the racks, all offwhichwill be describedhereinafte'r in detail rather than to stack the beams in a single frame as has been a practice heretofore. j

This invention hasfor oneobiect to provide an. improved apparatus and method for handling spools or beams of the class described. Another object is to provide a device suitable for handling spools, as aforementioned, that islight in weight and relativelyinexpensive to construct. A still further object is to provide a device as just indicated which, even though being relatively light in weight and construction, still offers all the necessary protection that is required in the loading ,,transporting, or other handling of the'yarn or similar material, aforementioned. Still a further object is to provide apparatus and a method which is more flexiblein' use in that beams of varying'fiange diameter may be accommodated and that other variables such as, truck size and the like may be overcome in that the device of the present invention may be easily loaded and transported in all the usual common carriers without special construction aifixed to that carrier. Various other objects, such as being, able to operate with either a partial or full 10st, will-be apparentas the description proceeds} I For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference is made to the attached drawings forming a part of the present specification.

In the attached drawing,

Figure l is a perspective view showing the over-all construction of one specific embodiment of an individual rack in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view but shows a rack of the present invention loaded with a large section beam.

Figure 3 is also a perspective view showing the stacking of loaded individual racks.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic end elevation view illustrating how aplurality of the racks in accordance'with my invention may be loaded in a truck trailer or the like for filling the truck space.

Figure 5 is also a diagrammatic side elevation viewshowing another method of loading a truck trailer or the like.

"Figure 6 is a perspective View of another species of construction of an individual rack which, for example, may be used for carrying two small beamsl Referring to Figure 1, my individual rack per beam construction is made up of a light weight but'strong rectangular frame or pallet marked by the over-all designation 2. While light weight metal angle members, such as regular angle iron or steel, may be used in the construction of frame 2, rigidity and strength are obtained by the double framing of 3, d, 5, and 6, for example, which double framing is held together by tie strips as at l, 8, 9, and I0.

This rectangular base or frame member just described carries corner'posts [2, 13, Hi, and I5 alt the four corners thereof. It will be'noted that these corner posts extend a substantial distance beyond the rectangular frame and may be suitably braced to the rectangular frame by means of brace members l1, l8, l9, and 2%.

Itwill further be noted that the four corner posts extend a substantial distance below'the rectangular frame member for formingflegs 2 2, ZQQ' 'andZE, for example. These legs serve to support the article to be carried a reasonable distance above the floor. In' addition,as will be 'rnore apparentfduring the consideration of Figure 3 the leg members and associatedfparts are so constructed that the individualrack; of

thepresent invention may be easilylstacked above another rack. That 4 is, it willbe' observedthat ejaclrof the legs 22 and 23 are connected to the fr e' member by a piece of strip metal such as shown at 26, 21 and 28.

"Referring specifically to part 2?, it will be observed that @{POItlOIl of this metal strip is formed at '3l,'before attachment to corner post 23, ma manner to providea'fiat foot at 3] and al'soto provide a right angle shoulder '32 (see corner post'z i) which aids in theaforementioned stacking.

"Referring further to the rectangular frame member which has'been given the over-all designation 2, at each end thereof there is provided the 15 pads best shown at 34, but also positioned'towardthe other corners 35, 3;6,'and 3].

B y"means*of the angular positioning offthese padsfas may be better'understood from Figure 2:- "or Figure 4, the section beams are suitably supported at the flanges irrespective of the size 'oftlieflange, th r y l inating. anypq fi pi of rolling motion of the beams during handling or transit, but does not restrict endwise movement at this point. Endwise, movement is taken by the plates to be described. These pads 34, 35, etc, may be covered with, for example, thick belting, rubber or other similar material (not shown) in order to protect the flanges from becoming marred by direct contact with metal.

Referring now to the parts above the rectangular frame member 2. end abutment plates 38 and 39 are provided at each end of the rack. Suitable holes ll], one at each end, are lifting holes for crane hooks. These abutment plates include bracing member 4|, 42, of plate 38 and 43 and 4 dof plate 39. It will be observed that further bracing is attained from members 45, 41, 48, and 49. In addition, it will be observed that these last four mentioned members also function to provide a track surface, as, for example, at 5| and 52 for guiding the shaft of a beam into.

yarn. If desired pin holes, as shown at 54, maybe provided so that the end of a section beam shaft can be pinned in place by conventional means in order to prevent upward movement. Usually, however, the weight of the section beam holds it in place.

Referring further to Figure 1, it will be observed that the track-brace members 46, 41, 4B, and' ls are so attached to theirrespective corner posts as to provide an angular recess such as shown at 65 adapted to receive the feet iiiof another rack when stacking the racks.

Referring now to Figure 2, a rack such as shown in Figure l has beenloaded with 'a large section beam. The loading-may be accomplished by lowering the section beam 6| into the raok from the top, the members 5|; and 52 -providing' a convenient track for guiding the ends of the section beam shaft into the channel '53 asalready mentioned. The contents of the section beam are protected from below-becausof the adequate spacing, 62, of the beamabove the floor. It will be noted from aconsideration of' further figures that in stacking; there is adequate pro tective spacing between the beams from above.

Referring now to Figure 3, two loaded racks as shown stacked. As discussed a ove; the'design and construction'of my new rack i such that the shoulder members, as at 32, securely telescope and fit with the angular recesses provided at (it so that the racks may be easily stacked without danger of coming apart. Also pin holes may be provided at topmost ends of i2-i3lfi-l5 so the conventional locking could be used when stacked, if desired. As may be further noted from Figure 3, adequate spacing M is had between'the contents of the section beams so there is little danger of any portion of one section beam hitting against the contents of sets up 01% of the'fioor because of legs22, 2 3;"

cally shown in this figure how a plurality of stacked racks may be loaded into a truck trailer. In Figure l, the racks are loaded in a manner 7 so that the axes of the section beam are parallel to the longitudinally dimension of the truck and truck motion.

Referring to Figure 5, it is also possible to load the truck trailer or box car so that the axes of the section beams are at right angles to the longitudinal dimension ofthe truck or other'carrier. As already pointed out above, each section beam is individually held in the rackand my racks, whether positioned singularly or stacked, exhibit very little tendency to roll or otherwise move out of position when in transit. Hence, as notedfrom Figures 4 and 5, my individual racks per beam may be loaded and transported in any manner most convenient with respect to the particular space available in the truck or box Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown another species of construction in accordance with the present invention. While the above descriptionhas been directed to an individual rack, namely, for a single beam, it is also possible to construct a rack in accordance with the present invention for holding two beams, commonly called warp beams in the trade. Usually when handling a beam weighing in excess of ton one beam per rack is ample. However, when handling smaller beams it is quite feasible to place two beams in a rack of the type shown in Figure 6, thereby obtaining -a rackconstruction approaching a cube, which because of its equal dimensions, has considerable stability against rolling or upsetting. a

I In considering in further detail this alternative species-of Figure 6 it will be observed that themain frame construction '72, the corner posts I3, 14, I5, and 16 are of a construction similar to that already set forth with respect to the preceding figures. Likewise, the feet construction at I1, 18, etc., i the same. Therefore, further description of similar parts is unnecessary and attention is directed to certain of the items characterizing the instant species.

In the species of Fig. 6, the beam is supported by its flanges on the angular track members 19 and 8| on the frame 12. These smaller beams are usually provided with a circular recess or aperture in each flange, and for this reason the members 82-, 83, 84 and 35 are provided for engaging said recess or aperture and for holding the beams in position on the members Hi and BI. Each of the members 82, 83, 84 and 85 are secured to a plate at which is adapted to be swung outwardly about the hinged point 83 before loading the beams on the members is and 8!. When the beams. have been positioned in therack, the plates 89 and their respective members 82, 83, as and 85 are, swung toward the beams for engaging the recess or aperture in the flanges thereof. The plates 66 are held in position by the cross bars 8'! and 8B which are .pivotally mounted at 89 to one of said plates on each side and provided with a slot for engaging a stud on the other plates and whichare then secured or locked in position by plates to be swung outwardly before the loading or unloading of the beams. The particular details of hinging and locking may be conventional and do not constitute a limitation on the present invention.

It will be observed that this alternative construction of Figure 6 is provided with an angular recess or channel, as indicated at '9l, so that these racks which hold two beams may likewise be stacked one upon the other and stacked in trailer-trucks or other carriers, as discussed in connection with Figure 3, 4, and 5.

It is believed apparent from the preceding description that I have provided a simple and eificient construction for the convenient handling of large spools of yarn or the like which not only protects and supports the spool during transit'b'ut protects the spool prior to loading and after unloading.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the racks may be stacked in a truck or other conveyance for either a full or partial load, without thesupporting members becoming an integralxpart of the conveyance. In the instance of a fulltruck, the weight of the supporting members comprising my individual racks, per beam, in the aggregate is substantially less than the weight of: the supporting members formerly used as a part of the trailer. As already discussed, my cone struction lends itself to the handling of different size beams wherein the dimension of the beam flanges or beam shafts may vary somewhat. My individual racks per beam do not require any special equipment for loading or moving, but the usual lift trucks and the like found around textile plants function satisfactorily in picking'up the rack, either endwise, or from the side. My. construction also gives maximum protection to the beam as well as the yarn.

I claim: 1 1. An apparatus for handling, transporting, and storing large spools of materials, comprising a rectangular horizontal frame, vertically extending corner posts affixed to the corners of said frame, said corner posts extending below said frame member for forming legs, meanscooperating with said legs and said frame for forming frame supporting feet, end plates secured to and extending vertically above said frame and substantially parallel to and between adjacent corner posts, said plates being securely braced with and from said frame and from the upper ends of said corner posts, the upper bracing also providing a track means toward said plates, and members associated with said plates adjoining said.

bracing which functions as a track means.

2. An apparatus for handling large spools of yarn, comprising a rectangular horizontal frame member, vertically extending corner posts affixed tothe corners of said frame, said corner posts extending below said frame member for forming legs, means cooperating with said legs for forming frame supporting feet, end abut-.

ment plates secured to said frame and having braces extending above said frame, members as sociated with said abutment plates, and the corner posts extending above said bracing for providing recesses at the four corners of said app aratus.

3. An apparatus for handling, transporting, and storing large spools of yarn and thelike filamentary materials, comprising a rectangular horizontal frame member made up of parallel elongated horizontal members tied togetherfatla plura t QfPQlQPSPyfi. plu ali y of st ps ye tically extending corner. posts. affixed to. the, cg 1; nerst of said parallel frame, said corner posts. extending: below. said frame for forming; legs, means cooperating with said legs and said frame for forming frame supporting feet, abutment end plates extending vertically above. said; frame between, adjacent pairs. of said corner posts, said end plates being braced with and from said frame and from said corner posts, members as,- sociatedzwith said. abutment plate and adjoining said bracing, the. corner posts extending; above said bracing in order. to provide angular recesses atatleast some; of thecorners of said apparatus adapted to receivethe feet of apparatus of the class described in the stacking thereof;

4. An apparatus of the class described: comprising a horizontal frame, vertically extending corner. posts. affixed to: said frame and braced thereto, said corner posts extending below said frame member for forminglegs, means, cooperating: with said. legs and said frame for forming feet, end' plates. extending vertically above said frame, members associated: with. said plates and the. corner posts extending slightly above said platesin order to providean ular recesses; at the corner-sofsaid apparatus. adapted to. receive the feetof similar, apparatus. in. the. stacking thereof.

5; An. apparatus for handling, transporting, and: storing. large spools ofyarn, filamentary. or

web. materials, comprising a. horizontal rectangular. frame. madeup. of parallel angle iron units,

tied together. at a. plurality of points by a plu--v rality of; metal strips, vertically extending cornerposts. affixed to said, frame and braced thereto,

said: posts. extending below said frame member for forming legs, strips of metal cooperating with, said legs. and said frame. for imparting rigid y andforming feetadapted tolfit another apparatus of the class described in the stacking thereof, end abutment plates extending vertically above said frame and substantially parallel tosaidposts, said end plates being securely braced with and from said frame and. said posts, the upper bra.c. ing also providing a track toward, said abutment plate, members associated with. said abutment plates and adjoining said bracing which functions as; a track member, the posts extending slightly above said track bracing in order to provide. angular recesses at at least some of the corners-of said apparatus adapted to receive the feet of. similar apparatus in the stacking thereof;

6. An apparatus forhandling large spOQls comprising ahorizontal, rectangular frame membermade up of parallel units tied together at a plurality of points, vertically extending corner posts affixed-to the corners; of said frame and braced; thereto, said. cornerlposts extending below, said frame member. for forming, legs, strips of; metal cooperatin -with said legs and said frame, end plates extending vertically abovev said; frame-be:- ing. securely braced with and from said frame andcorner, posts, members associated; with. said plates,- the, corner posts, extending slightlyabove said plates in order, to provide angular reeesses at thefgur. orn rs of; said p aratus 7:. .An appa a .s. r hand in ransn rt na. and storing large spools of yarn, filamentary or web rnaterials, comprising; a horizontal rectan'gu;

lar frame made up of parallel angle metalunits igdtos her t a. p ura y, o points by a plual' y f trips, e a ve ins b ne p tsffiX d-QQ th o ne of id. am and ac d thereto, said corner posts extending below said ll 5 1i rmin ssenin p p ra ns l i. said, leg and saidframefor. imparting rigidity.

and forming feet, end abutment plates extending vertically above said frame and substantially lar frame made up ofparallel angle metal units tied: together at. a plurality of: points by a plurali y of strips. saidframe car y a p ura ty of: angular pads for receiving: and. supporting the flangesof said large spools, vertically extending cornerpostaffixed to the corners of; saidframe andbraced thereto, said corner, posts, extending below said frame, for forming legs, strips cos operating with saidlegs; and said frame for imparting ri dity and formin feste d butm nt.

p es e nd n ab ve saidf ame and sta tially parallel to, said corner. posts, said; end plates being securely braced with upper and lower bracing with and; from said frame and; said corner posts, the upper b c n also. prov di a tra k toward said abutment plate, members 3753001". ated with said abutment plates and the corner posts extending slightly above said upper bracing int order to provide angular; recesses at thefour corners ofsaid apparatus.

9. An apparatus combination for handling, tran po tin nd s or n a plural ty f.- l r e spools of, yarn, comprisinghorizontal rectangularframes, vertically extendingcorner' posts afiixeclto the cornerscf-each ofsaid frames and braced thereto, said, corner posts extending below said frame member for forminglegs, means cooperat-, ing with, said'legs and said frame for forming feet, said feet fitting into the recesses of another pparatus. of the la s. des ib a d sta e thereon, vertically extending: end plates supported: by said frame, for holdin said: spools, said end, plates being; securely, braced with and from. said.

frame: andfrom said; corner Posts by means of lower and upper-bracings, respectively, theup:

per bracing also. providing a, track toward said- .plate for guiding the spool thereto, the; corner.-

posts extending slightly above: said track. bracing in order to provide saidrecesses for receiving the feet of anotherapparatus of the classdescribed in the stacking thereof.v

MORSE RICHTIW-YER;

REFERENCES CITED. The following references are, of record in the file of this patent:

OTHER REFERENCES M te l. ndl E u t by. lmsn tile cQ,- QQ Eul liion. v Det it Pp-104 ;106B, 108A. 109A. 

